1964 · Album
It Might as Well Be Swing
Recorded 1964 · Reprise Records · Arranger: Quincy Jones
Sinatra and Basie Swing Into Focus
Frank and Count Basie make a stunning combination, arranged by Quincy Jones at peak precision.
It Might as Well Be Swing arrived in 1964 as Sinatra's first time working with Quincy Jones as arranger, a pairing that shaped the entire sound of the record. Jones brought structure and discipline to what could have been a looser jam session between two giants. The result is brassy and upbeat without feeling bloated — the orchestra sits tight behind Sinatra's voice, giving him room to play with the melodies while keeping everything locked into the swing pocket. This wasn't a reunion tour or a casual meeting of legends; it was a carefully constructed set where every arrangement choice served the songs.
The album stands apart from Sinatra's other work with Count Basie because of how deliberate it is. Where Sinatra-Basie (1962) caught them in a more relaxed groove, this one feels tighter, more orchestrated. Tracks like "Can't Stop Loving You" show Sinatra doing what he does best — finding intelligence and restraint in a simple lyric, letting the band swing underneath without fighting him for attention. The Record Mirror reviewer at the time caught something real: this swings all the way through, groove after groove, with nothing wasted.
AllMusic's retrospective assessment ranked it above the earlier Basie collaboration, crediting its structured approach and the way both Sinatra and Basie still manage to play with the melodies and the beat even within that tighter framework. For listeners, this is the stronger entry point if you want to hear Sinatra and Basie together — it's the more purposeful version of what that partnership could sound like.
Who's playing
Buddy Catlettbass
Count Basiepiano
Freddie Greenguitar
Al Aaronstrumpet
Wallace Davenporttrumpet
Harry “Sweets” Edisontrumpet
Al Porcinotrumpet
George Cohntrumpet
Don Radertrumpet
Henry Cokertrombone
Bill Hughestrombone
Grover Mitchelltrombone
Ken Shroyertrombone
Henderson Chamberstrombone
Sonny Paynedrums
Emil Richardsvibraphone
Eric Dixonreeds
Frank Fosterreeds
Charlie Fowlkesreeds
Edgar Lustgartencello
Frank Wessreeds
Israel Bakerviolin
Thelma Beachviolin
Alvin Dinkinviola
Bonnie Douglasviolin
Jacques Gasselinviolin
James Getzoffviolin
Ann Goodmancello
Stanley Harrisviola
Virginia Majewskiviola
Erno Neufeldviolin
Lou Radermanviolin
Paul Robynviola
Marshall Royalreeds
Paul Shureviolin
Marshall Sossonviolin
Gerald Vinciviolin
Where next?
More by Frank Sinatra
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! 1956
Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely 1958
Ring-a-Ding Ding! 1961
September of My Years 1965
The musicians on this record
First Time! The Count Meets the Duke 1961
Count Basie
plays piano here
plays piano here
Mr. Rhythm 1956
Freddie Green
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
